South Korea's unification minister says the 'quite intimidating' parade will likely involve 'nearly all the weapons at North Korea’s disposal'

A series of satellite images captured on Tuesday show North Korea gathering thousands of troops, tanks and armed vehicles for a military parade expected to take place on the eve of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

The images, captured by the Deimos-2 satellite, show an increasing military presence at the Mirim Parade Training Facility in Pyongyang. Approximately 13,000 troops are seen organized in multiple parade formations and are joined by about 150 vehicles set up in a similar fashion.

Both the U.S. and South Korea have spoken out against the planned parade. South Korea’s unification minister, Cho Myoung-gyon, said the parade would likely be a “quite intimidating event involving a significantly large number of soldiers and nearly all the weapons at North Korea’s disposal.” Meanwhile, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence said the U.S. “will not allow North Korean propaganda to hijack the message and imagery of the Olympic Games.”

The Mirim Parade Training Facility in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Realistically, neither government is worried about it, said Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., an analyst for 38 North, a website run by Johns Hopkins University’s U.S.-Korea Institute.

“I don’t think the South Koreans or the U.S. or the Japanese are intimidated by North Korean parades,” Bermudez Jr. said. “Are they interested? Absolutely. Because you might see something you haven’t seen before.”

Although the satellite images don’t show their presence at the training facility, North Korea is expected to show off its missile launchers, UAV launchers and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The images have captured significant ground scarring at the facility, leading Bermudez Jr to believe the missile launchers will be included.

“That probably indicates they’re there, it’s just that they’re bringing them out at night to practice,” Bermudez Jr. said.

Satellite images of the Mirim Parade Training Facility in Pyongyang show North Korea gathering approximately 13,000 troops, heavy artillery vehicles and more for a military parade.

The parade will take place at Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang, and to assure the military’s presentation is flawless, the training facility contains a replica of the city square named in honour of Kim Jong Un’s grandfather.

Only the most respected and well-disciplined military personnel will participate, Bermudez Jr. said. Parades are an important cultural event in North Korea — just like they were in the Soviet Union — and the soldiers know participating in one will bring them awards, raise their social and political position, and may even lead to special privileges such as time off. Those selected are shipped to the practice facility, where they’re better fed and given good housing.

“It’s like a break in the monotony,” Bermudez Jr. said.

A closer look at the number of troops gathering at the Mirim Parade Training Facility

Details of the parade are usually kept secret for security reasons because Kim Jong Un and his top generals are expected to attend. But Bermudez Jr. said the parades all follow the same format. Ground forces will lead the parade and be followed by light equipment, trucks towing anti-aircraft guns and tanks. Missile launchers are saved for the big finale because they “want to build the anticipation.”

Pyongyang has said that the parade’s purpose is to celebrate the founding of the Korean People’s Army. The celebration has taken place on April 25 since 1978, but this year, North Korea state media said it will be held on it’s actual founding date. Coincidentally, that date is on the eve of the Olympic Games, leaving multiple experts to claim the parade is being held for other reasons.

Moving up the parade date would have been heavily influenced by the Olympics, Bermudez Jr. said. Kim is looking to inject morale into the Korean People’s Army after years of revamping and building the force that has 1.2 million men and women in active service and 7.7 million in reserve.

The ground scarring in this image could suggest that ballistic missile launchers will also be present at the parade.

North Korea will participate in the Olympics after Seoul accepted a last-minute proposal by Kim. A delegation of 22 athletes will compete in the games and is expected to march together with South Korean athletes under one blue and white unification flag.

North Korea may hope the parade will convince viewers of its power, but Bermudez Jr. suggested a more cautious approach.

“We have to be very careful because North Korea is showing us what they want to show us,” he said. “They understand what they’re showing us and they have a good idea of how we’re going to interpret it. This is all part of their plan to manipulate us as well as they could.”

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